Illuminator for automobiles



Feb. 13, 1934. c. Rlzzo Y 1,946,916

ILLUMINATOR FOR AUTOMOBILES Filed Aug. 25, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet l Feb. 13, 1934. c. Rizzo 1,946,916

ILLUMINATOR FOR AUTOMOB ILES Filed Aug. 25, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Feb. 13, 1934 UNITED STATES 1,sa46,916.I

PATENT oFFicE 4 Claims.

My invention relates to illuminators for automobiles and pertains more particularly to rotatable illuminating devices capable of being mounted upon a forward part of an automobile,

such as the cap of the radiator.

It is the object of my invention to produce a mounting for one or more electric lamps upon the cap of the radiator of an automobile about which a transparent or translucent globe is mounted. Another object of my invention is to provide means for a rotatably mounted globe upon the radiator cap of an automobile, together with means carried thereon to revolve the globe when the vehicle upon which it is mounted is in motion.

To these ends my invention includes the combination and arrangement of component parts to be hereinafter described and more particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters indicate similar parts,

Figure l is a perspective view oi a portion of the radiator and hood of an automobile having my illuminator attached to the cap.

Figure 2 is a horizontal sectional view of my illuminator taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 3.

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view thereof taken on the line 3 3 of Figure 2, and

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the frame of my illuminator.

Referring now to the drawings, 1 indicates the radiator of an automobile having the cap 2 carried thereon in the ordinary Way. Said cap has a screw-threaded central bore in which the post or spindle 3 is carried, This post is removably screwed in the cap and extends upwardly therefrom and terminates in a tapered end 4 which forms a bearing for the rotatable globe 5 as more fully described hereinafter. As 40 shown in the drawings, a block or casting 6 is mounted upon the cap 2 and screwed upon the post 3, which block as shown is provided with annular groove to form a bearing for the balls 7 upon which the globe 5 is rotatably mounted by the base 8 to which the globe is secured as shown.

The globe 5 comprises a plurality of circular members 9 secured to plates 10 and 11 at the upper and lower ends respectively by which 5o the globe is mounted upon the base 6 and the bearings 4. Diametrically extending through said globe I provide a sleeve l2 which surrounds the spindle 3, upon which the globe is rotated. At its upper end the globe is provided with a bolt 13 which passes through and is threaded (Cl. 24U-8.11)

into the plate 10, the lower end of which is recessed at A to rest upon the bearing 4 at the top of the spindle and is held in position by the jam nuts 14 and 15. Adjacent to the upper end of the globe I provide cross braces 16 attached to the frame of the globe which has a central opening to fit over and upon the spindle 3 to hold the globe in a vertical position.

Between two of the members of the frame of the globe I provide a door 17 hingedly mounted to provide access to the interior of the globe for servicing the lamps 19 carried therein.

Between the members 9 of the frame are provided sheets 20 of colored translucent or transparent material such as celluloid or glass, thereby forming a globular body. As shown in the drawings brackets 21 are mounted upon the spindle 3 upon which electric lamps 19 are suitably carried and a channel 22 is provided in the spindle to permit wiring for the lamps.

As shown in the drawings each of the members 5 of the frame of my globe is provided with a vane or ear 23 so shaped or formed as to cause a revolving motion to the globe when the vehicle upon which it is mounted is in motion.

From the foregoing description it will be obvious that I have produced a device which is not only ornamental but which is capable of use to distinguish commercial vehicles such as taxicabs from privately owned vehicles and by the arrangement of 'the colors displayed in the globe indicate groups of associated or controlled public vehicles.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new is:

l. In an illuminator for vehicles comprising a base mounted on said vehicle, a spindle mounted on said base, a sleeve mounted on said spindle, a frame mounted on said sleeve, a hollow globular light transmitting body mounted on said frame, wind vanes carried on said body, a plurality of brackets mounted on said spindle, a plurality of electric lamps respectively carried on said brackets, means for carrying an electric current from the exterior to the interior of said body, and means hingedly mounted to provide access to the interior of said body.

2. In an illuminator for vehicles comprising a base mounted on said vehicle, a spindle mounted on said base, a sleeve mounted on said spindle, a frame mounted on said sleeve, a hollow globular light transmitting body mounted on said frame, wind vanes carried on said body, a plurality of brackets mounted on said spindle,

a plurality of electric lamps respectively carried on said brackets, a channel in said spindle, electric wires running through said channel from the interior to the exterior of said globular body, and an inspection door hingedly mounted to provide access to the interior of said body.

3. An illuminator for vehicles comprising a spindle mounted upon said vehicle, a sleeve carried on said spindle, a hollow spherical light transmitting body mounted on said sleeve, said spherical body being mounted by a frame, said frame dividing said spherical body into gores, one of said gores being adapted as a means to admit access to the interior of said spherical body, vanes carried on said frame for rotating the same when the vehicle is in relative motion to the air, and means for illuminating the interior of said spherical body.

4. An illuminating device for vehicles comprisng a spindle mounted upon said vehicle, a

sleeve carried on said spindle, a plurality of brackets mounted on said spindle, said brackets being adapted to carry electric lamps, a frame carried on said sleeve, said frame comprising a plurality of semi-circular members secured to plates at upper and lower ends respectively, cross-braces attached to said frame having a central opening at the intersection of said cross-braces adapted to t over and upon said sleeve, a hollow spherical light transmitting body carried by s'aid frame, wind vanes carried by said frame, a portion of said spherical body included between two of said semi-circular inembers being adapted as a means to permit access to the interior of said spherical body, a channel in said spindle and electrical Wiring carried through said channel from the exterior to the interior or" said spherical body.

COLUMBUS RIZZO. 

